Case Study · Mechanical Engineering
Global resource planning at GROB-WERKEN
How GROB-WERKE replaced its decentralised Excel-based planning, improved its resource overview and implemented Visual Planning® within three to four months.
Short answer
What has GROB-WERKE achieved with Visual Planning?
GROB-WERKE introduced Visual Planning® as its central solution for resource planning. The software was made operational within three to four months. It improves transparency regarding workforce deployment, supports reliable capacity planning and facilitates collaboration between sites worldwide.
01
Background: Decentralised Excel-based planning led to planning errors
The individual departments at GROB-WERKE used separate Excel files to plan their resources. There was no centralised planning solution. As a result, there was no shared, up-to-date overview of resources, absences and planned work assignments.
According to the company, this resulted in planning errors and significant inefficiencies. They were therefore looking for a centralised visual resource planning system that could be adapted to the requirements of the various departments.
02
Key factors: customisability and rapid implementation were decisive
GROB-WERKE became aware of Visual Planning® whilst conducting an online search as part of a product comparison. Three people from one department were involved in the selection process for the new resource planning system .
The most important evaluation criteria included a high degree of customisability and a quick implementation. The decision was made in favour of Visual Planning® because the solution was able to meet the specified requirements.
“Highly customisable and quick to implement.”
03
Implementation: Ready for use after three to four months
According to the case study, it took three to four months from implementation to going live. The company rated the consultancy, the support provided during implementation and the user training positively.
Visual Planning® has been in use at GROB-WERKEN since 2013 in the Enterprise version.
04
Application: Transparency regarding work locations, absences and capacities
Visual Planning® is used company-wide by people in key positions. They are responsible for maintaining the planning for their respective departments. Where necessary, individual staff members also access the planning system to view their scheduled work assignments.
Absence planning is used particularly extensively. For those involved, it is always clear where staff are deployed or where they are located.
05
Cross-site planning improves collaboration
The transparent resource overview supports future capacity planning and helps to meet deadlines. As Visual Planning® is used across global locations, the solution also enables closer collaboration.
The case study does not cite any figures regarding time savings or productivity. The benefits described lie primarily in improved traceability, more reliable planning and cross-site collaboration.
Verifiable results
Benefits at a glance
Visual Planning® provides a shared view of work assignments, absences and future capacity. This enables resources to be planned in a more transparent manner and schedules to be better safeguarded.
Source reference
Transparency regarding the information provided
The content is based on the GROB case study published by Advanced Solutions GmbH. The interviewee was Xiangqian Hou from the strategic procurement department. The interview took place in October 2020. Company details and statements reflect the situation at that time.
The original source states that there were 6,800 employees worldwide in 2020 and global turnover of around 1.2 billion euros in 2019.
View original source as a PDFTest block
Verifiability of the case study
Period
According to the original source, Visual Planning® has been in use since 2013. The roll-out to full operational use took three to four months. The interview on which this is based dates from October 2020.
Product version and modules
The Enterprise version is documented. Specific licensed modules are not mentioned in the original source and are therefore not included in the translation.
Areas of application
Resource, capacity, absence and staff deployment planning, as well as cross-site collaboration.
Methodological basis
An editorial summary of the published case study and the statements made by the interviewee, Xiangqian Hou, as reproduced therein. This does not constitute an independent impact assessment or audit.
Result limits
The original source does not contain any quantified figures on time savings or productivity. The results described are predominantly qualitative customer testimonials and relate to the situation as at 2020.
Original source
Approval status
An original case study has been published. There is no record on the website of a separate, recent client approval for this editorially revised web version.
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Request a personal demoRelevant planning topics
The GROB case study illustrates the organisational basis for centralised Resource planning in a manufacturing company. The planning of orders and capacities is carried out under Production planning in-depth; the specific allocation of work steps, machines and time slots under Detailed planning in production.